Peyper back in World Rugby's good books
SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: South African referee Jaco Peyper will take charge of the clash between England and Ireland at Twickenham on Sunday, February 23.
Peyper made headlines during the 2019 World Cup when World Rugby decided to rule him out of consideration for the semifinals after he was pictured posing for a photograph with Welsh fans.
In the picture labelled as ‘inappropriate’ by World Rugby and Peyper, the South African appeared to mimic the elbow that led to lock Sebastien Vahaamahina’s quarterfinal red card during France’s 19-20 defeat to Wales.
Jaco Peyper dans un bel hommage à Vahaamahina. Photo de Fabien Heuzé pic.twitter.com/g5vo93413s
— Arnaud Coudry (@ArnaudCoudry) October 20, 2019
However, the South African has now been selected to officiate the highly contested match between England and Ireland.
The Six Nations match selections – the first since World Cup 2019 – includes a strong blend of experience and emerging international talent with 20 of the 21 match officials involved in Japan 2019 selected.
Welshman Nigel Owens will referee his 98th Test match when he officiates the Round 1 clash between France and England at the Stade de France and Wayne Barnes’s 90th Test will come at the same venue for the final game of the 2020 Six Nations – Ireland’s clash against Les Bleus.
Englishman Barnes had initially intended to retire following the recent Rugby World Cup in Japan but will be a key cog for the 2020 Championship as he will also be an assistant for France’s trips to Wales in Round 3 and Scotland in Round 4.
Luke Pearce (England) has the honour of refereeing the first match of the 2020 Six Nations – Wales vs Italy in Cardiff – while Andrew Brace (Ireland) makes his Championship refereeing debut in Round 2 for France vs Italy.
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World Cup final referee Jérôme Garcès having announced his international retirement, Ireland’s Andrew Brace makes his Six Nations refereeing debut while England’s Matthew Carley returns as a referee. Both were assistant referees at Japan 2019.
Mike Adamson (Scotland), Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Frank Murphy (Ireland) and Ben Whitehouse (Wales) return to the squad as assistant referees, while James Leckie (Australia), Glenn Newman (New Zealand) and Brian MacNeice (Ireland) are included in an expanded television match official (TMO) panel after Ben Skeen announced his retirement.
The appointments were made by the World Rugby match officials selection committee following a full review of performances at the recent World Cup and other elite competitions. World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said: “Just like the teams, the preparation for France 2023 begins now for the match officials.
“Our goal is continuous improvement, accuracy and consistency of decision-making and this selection represents the continuation of that journey with a selection that features a strong blend of huge experience and the best young talent.”
Alain Rolland, World Rugby 15’s high-performance match official manager, added: “There is a huge amount of excitement and motivation across the team as we head into the first Six Nations of the new decade. We have a strong team ethic, a superb group of match officials and we are excited about the young talent that is coming through the ranks from the under-20 Championship and elite club environment.
“Our goal is always clear, consistent and accurate decision-making and while there is no change in emphasis we will continue to build on what we achieved at World Cup 2019, working with the teams to ensure the best possible experience for players and fans.”
When @Nigelrefowens tells you he’s refereeing in the 2020 #GuinnessSixNations! 😉https://t.co/ZOJpEEZBZc pic.twitter.com/jC7B7s6rTZ
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) December 4, 2019
SIX NATIONS REFEREEING APPOINTMENTS:
Round 1, 1-2 February 2020
Wales vs Italy at Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Television match official: James Leckie (Australia)
Ireland vs Scotland at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzere (France), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
France vs England at Stade de France, Paris
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
Television match official: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Round 2, 8-9 February 2020
Ireland vs Wales at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Scotland vs England at Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Television match official: James Leckie (Australia)
France vs Italy at Stade de France, Paris
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
Television match official: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Round 3, 22-23 February 2020
Italy vs Scotland at Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Television match official: Rowan Kitt (England)
Wales vs France at Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Karl Dickson (England)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
England vs Ireland at Twickenham, London
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Round 4, 7-8 March 2020
Ireland vs Italy at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Karl Dickson (England)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
England vs Wales at Twickenham, London
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Scotland vs France at Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Television match official: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Round 5, 14-15 March 2020
Wales vs Scotland at Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Karl Dickson (England)
Television match official: Rowan Kitt (England)
Italy vs England at Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère(France)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
Television match official: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
France vs Ireland at Stade de France, Paris
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
